I see from Dave's email below that I could get new plastic "adjustors" for
my headlights to screw into from the dealer.

I also had a suggestion that I plug the holes with J-B Weld and then drill
into it to screw the headlights back in.

Any advice on whether doing it with J-B weld is likely to be straightforward
and effective?  I've never used it before.  (surprised, aren't you?)

And in case anyone else needs license plate light bulbs, I got a pair from
my FLAPS (Carquest), part number "1618" - no brand name written on them,
only that code.  $1.29 each (except they gave me one free) and they work
fine.  Tracking down original bulbs doesn't seem necessary.

Joy

****************************************************************
Joy Hecht
and Matilda, 1989 Burgundy Vanagon

For musings about life and the vanadventures:
http://users.rcn.com/jhecht/gypsy

****************************************************************

:::-----Original Message-----
:::From: MilosKitchen [mailto:sagmoore@zoominternet.net]
:::Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 5:13 PM
:::To: Joy Hecht
:::Subject: RE: Thanks to all of you - and HEADLIGHT REPAIR!
:::
:::Joy,
:::The "adjusters" as they are called (the white nylon housings / screw) are
:::still (and only, I think) available at the dealer. I had to buy two for
:::my
:::Syncro, 'bout $8 a pop, two day wait. You do have to specify which
:::position
:::they are for, (LH, RH, upper, inner etc.). Hey, they get a little crispy
:::after 17 years. If I were stuck to the front of a van for 17 years, I'd
:::probably be cracked and crispy too.
:::Dave Milo
:::
:::-----Original Message-----
:::From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
:::Of Joy Hecht
:::Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 10:35 AM
:::To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
:::Subject: Thanks to all of you - and HEADLIGHT REPAIR!
:::
:::
:::Thank you very much, everyone who replied to my emails of yesterday.  I
:::really did want to hear lots of views on transportation modes, and I
:::appreciate all of your replies.
:::
:::This morning I took to the headlight with the Bentley and the
:::screwdriver,
:::removed the assembly, drained out the water, and I'm studying the
:::pinhole.
:::
:::I had a couple of suggestions on pinhole repair - clear silicone,
:::aquarium
:::sealant, and a windshield stone chip repair kit.  Are these actually all
:::essentially the same?  Any advice on sealing the tiny hole before I
:::start?
:::Sealant outside the lens or inside?  Or some of each?
:::
:::I also had a couple of warnings not to break the plastic housing into
:::which
:::the headlight assembly screws.  Well, the PO already did that for me.
:::The
:::outer (low, rectangular) beams are attached with three screws, two on the
:::inside (relative to the edge of the van) and one on the outside.  The
:::housing on the outside screws of both headlights is basically gone.  In
:::fact, the headlights have wiggled in place for as long as I've had the
:::van -
:::I'm surprised the inspectors didn't get me on that.
:::
:::Can I replace the housing?  Or is there some other recommended fix for
:::that?
:::
:::And I'm going to be a little less of a goody-two-shoes, and take the van
:::to
:::a different inspector, blow another $15, and hopefully she'll pass
:::inspection with my sealed headlight.
:::
:::Next, gotta figure out why my new license plate bulb is dimmer than the
:::old
:::one.
:::
:::Maybe I'm even educable on the subject of really minor repairs?
:::
:::
:::
:::Joy
:::
:::p.s.  To the fulltimers list - my apologies for this mechanical post!  :-
:::)
:::
:::
:::****************************************************************
:::Joy Hecht
:::and Matilda, 1989 Burgundy Vanagon
:::
:::For musings about life and the vanadventures:
:::http://users.rcn.com/jhecht/gypsy
:::
:::****************************************************************